Because many labels don't list ingredients, researchers tested hundreds of common household products for 66 different chemicals of concern.

"These are chemicals that are linked to health effects like cancer, children's growth, asthma," said Julia Brody, executive director of the Silent Spring Institute.

The chemicals of concern include parabens, phthalates and bisphenol A.

"We do know these chemicals have biological action in laboratory studies that make us concerned about their affects on cancer. Some of them can mimic estrogen. They can make human breast cancer cells grow in a lab," Brody said.

Scientists even found chemicals of concern in alternative products tested.

Thirty-two out of 43 products that are marketed as green or all natural tested positive for potentially harmful chemicals, including sunscreens labeled as safe for children

"To find out that they tested the products that are so called greener products and found problems with them I thought was particularly alarming," said Sara Frost Azzam of the Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project.

Azzam started becoming concerned about toxic chemicals after her father died of multiple myleoma and her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"My goal has always been to see cancer eliminated in my children's lifetime." Azzam said.

To reduce your family's exposure to these chemicals that may pose a health risk she and others suggest consumers avoid cleaning and personal care products with fragrance, limit exposure to vinyl and avoid anti-bacterial products.

She suggest that consumers try to use fewer products and look for plant-based ingredients.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents businesses that make many of the tested products, released the following statement in response to the study.

"We are disappointed that the Silent Spring Institute would make unfounded claims about the health effects of very low-levels of government-approved chemicals used in everyday consumer products without facts to support their claims."

Advocates said it's time for government to step in to ensure chemicals are safe and to require better labeling.

"It is frustrating that you can't go to the store and know what you're buying," said Brody.

The study was funded in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and appears in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives.